Moissanite vs. Diamond: A Comprehensive Comparison by OneLuckyWish

Gemstone Dilemma: Moissanite vs. Diamond

When it comes to choosing the perfect gemstone for your jewelry, the decision between moissanite and diamond can be captivating. These two dazzling options boast unique characteristics that cater to various preferences and priorities.

In this in-depth guide, we delve into the world of moissanite and diamond, uncovering their disparities in brilliance, durability, color, value, and sourcing. By the end of this article, you’ll be armed with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about which gemstone suits your individual style and values.

The Birth of Moissanite

Moissanite, often referred to as a diamond simulant, was first discovered by the illustrious French scientist Henri Moissan in 1893. He stumbled upon microscopic particles of this extraordinary gem in an Arizona crater formed by a meteorite impact. At first glance, he believed he had found diamonds, but subsequent analysis revealed that these crystals were composed of silicon carbide.

Today, natural moissanite remains exceptionally rare, and the moissanite available in the market is lab-created. Years of scientific innovation and refinement have allowed us to synthesize moissanite, resulting in one of the world’s most scintillating gemstones. This engineered marvel is designed to mimic the appearance of diamonds while having distinct qualities that set it apart.

Moissanite vs. Diamond

Characteristic	Moissanite	Diamond
Durability (Mohs Scale)	Moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making it suitable for daily wear and resistant to surface scratching.	Diamonds receive a perfect 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, making them the hardest known mineral, extremely durable, and ideal for daily wear.
Brilliance	Moissanites exhibit a unique brilliance characterized by fiery, rainbow flashes due to their different faceting pattern. Some people love this effect, but others may find it excessive, especially in sunlight, creating a “disco ball” effect. Larger moissanites are more likely to display this difference. Moissanite has a higher refractive index (2.65 – 2.69) compared to natural diamonds.	Diamonds exhibit brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation. Brilliance is the white light reflected from the diamond’s facets, creating the classic diamond sparkle. Dispersion refers to the rainbow of colors refracted through the diamond. Scintillation is the surface sparkle or play of light, contributing to a diamond’s famous sparkle.
Color	Moissanites are often labeled as “colorless,” but they can still exhibit a slight yellow or grayish hue under certain lighting conditions. Larger moissanites may display more noticeable color variations.	Colorless diamonds, whether natural or lab-created, have a bright white appearance with no traces of yellow, brown, or gray, giving them a dazzling and pure look.
Price	Moissanites are significantly more affordable than diamonds of the same size when viewed from the top. Moissanite prices mainly vary based on size and whether the stone is classified as Premium or Super Premium.	Diamond prices vary based on factors such as shape, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. Lab-created diamonds are generally more affordable than natural diamonds, offering budget-friendly options.
Sourcing	Moissanites are lab-created gemstones, making them an eco-conscious choice as they require no mining.	Ethical and environmentally responsible options are available for both natural and lab-created diamonds. Some diamonds are labeled as “Beyond Conflict Free™” to ensure ethical and responsible sourcing practices with minimal environmental impact.

Moissanite Origins

Moissanites are cultivated in controlled environments using advanced technology, eliminating the need for mining entirely. As a result, their origins are readily traceable.

In contrast to natural gemstones, lab-created moissanites leave a significantly smaller carbon footprint and have a reduced environmental impact. Opting for fine jewelry crafted with moissanite and recycled metals is a conscientious and environmentally responsible choice.

How to Choose Your Moissanite

Finding the Perfect Gem

Shape and Cut: Crafting Elegance

Choosing the right shape and cut is crucial when selecting Moissanite. Popular choices include round, princess, and cushion cuts. The cut determines the gem’s brilliance, so choose wisely based on your personal preference.

Carat Weight: Balancing Beauty and Budget

Selecting the appropriate carat weight depends on your budget and style. Moissanite’s affordability allows you to opt for larger stones without breaking the bank, making it an attractive choice for those who crave grandeur.

Color and Clarity: The Importance of Color and Clarity

Unlike diamonds, Moissanite is nearly colorless. However, it is essential to consider your preference for color and clarity to ensure you are delighted with your gemstone’s appearance.

Budget and Size Comparison: Moissanite vs. Diamond

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, cost is often a critical factor. In the comparison between moissanite and diamond, moissanite emerges as the clear winner in terms of affordability. Let’s explore the sizes you can attain with different budgets when considering moissanite versus diamonds of various color grades.

Cost Comparison Chart: Moissanite vs. Diamond

Moissanite proves to be a budget-friendly option, leading to substantial savings. To simplify matters, we’ve based our prices on round diamonds, aiming for the highest carat weight possible within the budget. These diamond prices reflect the minimum standards for an eye-clean SI2 diamond with an excellent cut from Oneluckywish, ensuring quality without compromising on clarity.

As evident from the chart, choosing moissanite translates to significant cost savings. Even with a budget of less than $1,000, you can acquire a moissanite of a size comparable to a one-carat diamond. To obtain a diamond of similar size, you’d have to allocate at least $3,000, often making compromises in color and clarity. Opting for a moissanite within the same budget would result in a noticeably larger gem, measuring over 1 cm in diameter.

Even at more modest budgets, such as $500, the difference in size between moissanite and diamond is remarkable. A moissanite gem is 8% larger than a diamond with a faint color or 20% larger than a D-E-F diamond.

By choosing moissanite, you not only achieve remarkable size and brilliance but also substantial savings, allowing you to invest in the perfect symbol of your love without compromising your budget.

Is Diamond More Durable Than Moissanite?

Hardness

Diamond holds a prestigious position as the hardest substance, boasting a perfect 10 on the Mohs scale. This exceptional hardness means that only another diamond can leave a mark on it. In contrast, moissanite claims the title of the second-hardest gemstone, with a rating of 9.25 on the Mohs scale. Storing your moissanite alongside diamond jewelry should pose no significant risk of scratching.

Toughness

The determination of whether moissanite or diamond prevails as the tougher gem material poses a challenging question. Sellers of moissanite may argue that it possesses superior toughness, while those advocating for diamonds may make the opposite claim.

It’s crucial to note that moissanite lacks a cleavage plane, a feature that sets it apart from diamond. A cleavage plane represents an internal plane along which a diamond crystal can readily split. This absence of a cleavage plane grants moissanite a distinct advantage in terms of durability. Nevertheless, it doesn’t provide a precise measure of the force required to cause moissanite to chip or shatter.

Unfortunately, the International Gem Society (IGS) cannot independently verify the following pressure tolerance measurements, recorded in millions of pounds per square inch (PSI), for diamond, moissanite, and cubic zirconia (CZ), a well-known diamond simulant. Nonetheless, these figures offer a foundation for comparison:

• Diamond: 14.6 PSI
• Moissanite: 7.6 PSI
• CZ: 2.4 PSI

Sources: Does Moissanite Chip Easily?; Moissanite Versus Cubic Zirconia.

If these measurements prove reliable, they suggest that diamond requires approximately twice the pressure to break compared to moissanite, while moissanite demands three times the pressure to break compared to CZ. However, it’s worth noting that the exact nature of the pressure applied to the diamond, whether in any direction or specifically along its cleavage plane, remains unclear. (CZ, like moissanite, also lacks a cleavage plane).

In general, both diamond and moissanite are unlikely to chip or crack, although the potential for such damage always exists and can depend on the specific cut of the gem. For instance, princess cuts may be more susceptible to chipping than round cuts. When making a choice between these gems, durability may not be a decisive factor.